The ideal time to start training is as early as possible. Puppies can begin basic training as young as eight weeks old, but it’s never too late to start. Older dogs can still benefit from training with the right approach.

Positive reinforcement, such as treats, praise, and toys, is the most effective and humane training method. Punishment-based methods can cause anxiety, fear, and confusion in dogs.
While there is no specific law about training, abusive or harmful training methods (e.g., using shock collars) are banned, and you should ensure that training is done humanely. We only use positive reinforcement, games based training methods.

Clicker training is a method that uses a small device that makes a “click” sound to mark a desired behaviour. When the dog performs the behaviour, you click and immediately reward them with a treat. This technique helps dogs clearly understand which actions are being rewarded. It’s highly effective, especially for teaching precise behaviours.

Dog training is a great way to test your dog’s behaviour and also build a stronger relationship. Ask yourself, will your dog really come back when faced with an exciting distraction? Will he focus on you when lots of things are going on around you? Classes give you fun activities and games to do with your dog when you’re out and about or at home and that quality time each week is such great value to your relationship bank account!

With rescue dogs its important to know as much of their history as possible but this isn’t possible for some cases. If your rescue is happy and relaxed around other people and dogs, then they should be suitable for group training classes. We do however tailor our classes to suit the dogs that are booked on that particular course. Rescue dogs that are nervous and uncomfortable in groups we do offer one-to-one training classes. We will work with you and show you how to help your dog feel more relaxed, confident and comfortable around dogs and/or people.

These terms are derived from a long-debunked myth about dog behaviour as it relates to wolf behaviour. Faulty research in the 1930’s was responsible for developing this theory about the “Alpha Wolf” dominating all others and fighting for resources. Renowned wolf expert, Dr. David Mech, long ago debunked this theory. In the decades since, the scientific community has gained more understanding and clarified its views on the subject. Wolf packs in the wild consist of family units in which the parents teach and nurture their puppies. They thrive due to their deep social bonds and cooperation, not as a result of dominating and fighting for resources. Sadly, popular culture continues to perpetuate misinformation, resulting in inappropriate treatment of dogs.

That’s ok we can conduct any training via online platforms like zoom for instance. Sometimes it’s better for your dog to be in its own environment where it feels more confident and secure. Just ask us for details.

The basis of positive dog training is the learning principal that applies to all animals: “Behaviours that are rewarded (or reinforced) are more likely to occur”. Positive reinforcement or R+ is giving the dog good things for doing good behaviours. Over time the dog will continually perform all the rewarded behaviours. Undesirable behaviours are prevented, ignored and re-directed, making them unsuccessful for the dog. Positive training is not punishment-based. No choke chains, prong collars, shock collars or leash corrections are necessary or ever used. The result is a dog who is happy to be part of whatever we may need from him. Just because you think those expensive new treats are a great reward doesn’t mean they are. If your dog turns his nose up at them, they’re not much of a reward in his mind. A reward can be petting, verbal praise, a throw of the ball, a quick game with a favourite toy, sniffing the grass, or saying hello to another dog. The sky’s the limit. Consider which things your dog finds rewarding, and use them.